Mythbusters: World Travel is Only for the Upper Class

Before you penny pinchers, backpackers, and budget travelers start flipping tables and asking for my head on a platter, understand first that I didn’t say those words. A lot of people have actually said it; possibly your parents when you were a child or that boss of yours that seems to only have a cashmere wardrobe and boasts about his alpaca rug at the company holiday party. However, in this instance, it was a commenter who recently said that world travel was only accessible by students and the upper class. My first reaction was to fight back; however, it got me to thinking. Is world travel really only accessible by the wealthy? Now I’m not talking about people who sell their homes and possessions to backpack through Southeast Asia. I’m talking about a standard trip, where someone takes a week or two off of work to travel abroad. Is this only for the upper class?

Welcome to Nicaragua

I can’t exactly answer this question by comparing it to my own world travel experiences this past winter, since I didn’t have things like rent and a car payment. However, I can use it as a point of reference. To answer the question of whether or not world travel is only for the upper class, I’ve decided to compare some of my weekly expenses in Costa Rica to typical living experiences and see how it stacks up. However, first, a couple notes. Note that Central America is one of the cheaper destinations in the world. However, Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America. Also, I’m looking at this based on how I travel. I’m not a backpacker, nor am I a jet setter. I don’t stay in hostels, nor five-star hotels. I don’t eat five-course meals, but nor do I eat Ramen for lunch.

Are you surprised by these numbers? These numbers will vary, but I think it gives you an idea of how much you could spend over a week in Costa Rica. Airfare is less than what you would typically find for a round-trip flight; however, I found this deal on a Tuesday afternoon using Hipmunk. Also, a weekly rate for a condo in Costa Rica runs about the same price as a monthly rate. My monthly rent was $450.

Two of the biggest things that I saved money on was lodging and airfare. These could easily have been double. Since I rented a condo, most of my food prices were cheaper. Because I typically cook my meals at home, I also like to cook meals when traveling, while also experiencing local cuisine. When you’re in Central America, you’ll see a lot of beach bars and restaurants. These are often owned by expats, and therefore, more expensive than the typical sodas, which are run by locals and half the price.

$1338. What is this comparable to? Well for many Americans, that’s a rent payment. I looked at the Social Security website and it said that for 2009, the national average wage was nearly $41,000 per year or just under $3,500 per month . Using the recommended formula that your rent shouldn’t be more than 35% of your income, this comes out to just over $1,200 per month. For some, this number may approximately be your tax refund.

Back to the original question: Is world travel only for the upper class? My answer is a resounding no. Of course luxury travel is for those that are more wealthy, but you can travel abroad without it costing an arm and a leg. Just the cost of rent and maybe some pocket change. If there’s something I’ve learned in my short 28 years of life, it is this: If people really want to do something, then they’ll do it. With the destinations that media like Travel + Leisure Magazine and the Travel Channel feature, it’s no surprise that people don’t travel because they think it’s too expensive. However, you can save money and make lifestyle changes that allow you to travel abroad for cheaper than you may think. If it’s cheap destinations you’re after, Tim Leffel has tons of great advice and suggested destinations on his cheapest destinations blog.

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My life imbibing and traveling around the world started early, flying on a plane for the first time at age five and by myself for the first time at seven. Two decades later and little has changed, though I’ve replaced my notebook, disposable camera, and bottle of coke for a laptop, DSLR, and bottle of whiskey. Having my work featured in publications like National Geographic, AFAR Magazine, Outside Magazine, Los Angeles Times, MSN, and Yahoo, I cover all things travel, food, and drinks here on Whiskey Tango Globetrot. Find out more about me and WTG here.

15 Comments

[…] only ones that think travel can be done with a little bit of saving and prioritizing. Spencer at The Traveling Philosopher and Carol at New York City Mama have both written about this issue recently. My hope is that this […]

I absolutely do not think that travel is only for the wealthy. I think certain kinds of travel become difficult without deep financial reserves. However, I’ve technically been broke by the world’s standards for over a year and yet I’ve managed to travel to NYC, France, Argentina, Uruguay, Bahamas, Mexico, etc etc etc.

Life is what you make it – if you want to travel, you will find a way. Poor, rich or average. It’s not about how much money you have but about how much you want it.

“Life is what you make it”. Couldn’t agree more. I feel like I’ve seen more people say that recently; not just within the realm of travel, but just life in general. It’s interesting the loads of people that say they want to travel, but never make the steps to do so. Makes me wonder if there’s a disconnect in how travelers and media are portraying travel.

I’m always interested in equations that talk about the economics of travel. And I like what you’ve done here.

While I absolutely agree that travel can be for all economic classes, there’s another piece that needs to be exposed to put the idea in perspective. My bills don’t disappear simply because I have. When I budget for travel time, I also have to budget for the expenses that continue to rack up monthly even though I’m not in my home. My mortgage payment. My internet bill. My health insurance.

If I had nothing in running expenses, the cost of travel would be totally manageable — a month’s mortgage, as you say. But I have to include those expenses in my budget. I’ve sublet my place for years while I travel, and that has helped immensely, but but I have never been able to make my “at home” expenses pay themselves in full so I can focus ONLY on travel expenses. At our house, those expenses don’t include kids, pet car, a car payment, student loans…imagine those that do have those expenses.

For me (and I say for ME, because it’s different for everyone) those remaining expenses are what determine when I can afford to travel. The travel itself? Sure, I can find a way to pay for that. But it’s only one aspect of what I have to budget for each time I take off.

I was hoping someone would comment on the missing piece I left out and none better than you Pam! I agree with you on all accounts. I feel like in many ways it has become a strategy of how to make it work for those that want to do it. Trolling the message boards, subscribing to airfare alerts, and so on. My traveling is pretty spontaneous, but it seems to work for a lot of people to start planning out not only their travels months in advance, but also their home life to make it work. Cutting out a data package on their phone for a few months, canceling cable, or eating out only half as usual.

I agree with you – travel is NOT just for the upper class. Not by a long shot! I’ve heard it, too, though. Someone I know told me “Only old, rich people travel.” I then went on to point out that, just this year, I’ve traveled to Hawaii, Chicago, Vancouver, and New Zealand. And I make less than $25,000 per year.

Granted, I only travel for up to 2 weeks at a time, and I spend a good amount of time saving up money before a trip (and keeping an eye out for deals and free places to stay). But it’s totally manageable for me on my salary. I WANT to travel, and so I figure out ways to make it possible.

Love your comment Amanda. You brought up a great point and that point is that you can even travel to expensive destinations by planning and making the right steps. New Zealand, Vancouver, and Hawaii are not cheap! However, it proves that you can really travel where you want. Good for you Amanda and thanks for the great comment!

I don’t think travel is only for the wealthy – but it depends on your definition of “wealthy.” I used to make six figures as a single woman in Chicago and affording travel then was easy. I typically took a couple international trips a year, staying in what I considered at the time “budget” hotels (i.e., under $100 a night). Four years ago, I changed careers and now make about 1/3 of what I previously made. It has forced me to cut back in a lot of areas and I certainly don’t consider myself “wealthy” by any means, but I make it a priority to still take at least one international trip each year. I bargain shop more and go to less expensive areas that I used to, but it is still a priority.

That being said, there are families of 4 that live on what I make in salary (or less). Those people very well may look at me and what I make as a single person as being relatively wealthy. And I personally can’t imagine my current salary stretching to cover expenses for 4 people and have anything left over to travel at all, even within the US.

So no, travel isn’t only for the wealthy, but I think there is a line in the sand somewhere where it is unattainable when a person or a family (probably more so with families) are barely making enough to cover basic living expenses.

Well said. Travel is unfortunately unattainable for many people. However, I feel like there are large groups of people that are missing out because they think travel is “above their pay grade”. I think part of that is on travelers and the media who have made it out to be more expensive than it has to be. That and painting the cheaper destinations as unsafe or undesirable.

The whole being able to afford to travel is different for each person, because each person has different circumstances they bring to the table. Different incomes, different personal budgets. But a lot does depend on priorities, as well. I have a friend who buys 1-2 new DVDs every week, as well as going out drinking on Saturdays and then says she can’t afford to travel. Well, of course not, since she spends her non-bill money on DVDs and alcohol.

I think if someone really wants to do world travel, it’s possible, but sometimes it means giving up something else (DVDs, etc) to free up the money needed. It may take longer to get the funds, but it’s not impossible.

[…] and philosophy in Spencer Spellman’s blog gives an unusual take on his world adventures. His myth-busting advice is always a winner, and some great photography, in conjunction with a strong site design, […]

For me a portuguese former hiker, it is. First of all, why am i a former hiker? Because now i am jobless and with no benefits. I cannot afford my dreams. The crisis hit so hard even people with a degree and experience like me. I never spent much and my hiking trips were the most budget i could ever find. I slept in tents, i ate canned food. But the crisis is so hard that i only can spent 100 USD per month, for paying internet and some expenses in the home i share with family. Portugal might be cheaper to live in than the states. You can make a living with 800 or 900 USD, but bellow that dont even think about travelling. Even inside the country you have to pay at least 50, 60 USD for a weekend out, sharing a car and camping on a park (camping in the wild is strickly forbidden here), and some food…it is nearly impossible to travel for many of us right now. I know nature lovers that havent been on vacations fr 2 years or more…

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